Why this former turntablist STOPPED Using Turntables at Gigs

I took a walk in memory lane to reflect on how I ended up using non-turntables to perform my turntablism.

Referenced videos:

iParty Crew at 515 Alive Music Festival

515 Alive 2014 (ft. DJ Brett B interview)

Pri yon Joni Peter Piper Routine on DDJ-SB2

Learn to Scratch on a DJ Controller coming from Turntables

9 Reasons Why I Use an Entry Level DJ Controller

Pri yon Joni DDJ-200 Demo

[manuelguerrero]

Great story. A lot of Djs today hide behind a curtain of expensive gear to mask lack of skill and creativity with knob turning. The listening public don't care about gear selection, thats up to the Dj to choose the best tool to get the job done.

[raymondmartinez]

As a 17 year old Chicago southside kid I could not effort any 12s, so I practiced on my friends equipment, who was well off. I learned the basics, but not enough to fly like I wanted to. 30 years later I'm at Guitar Center purchasing my first controller and trying continued what I started in the 90s. Rocking the ones and twos again!!!! It's a little different feel on the controller, but the basics are the same.

[anthonyroy]

I really appreciate your story. I DJ'ed in the '90s and early 2000s and the main thang was to beat match and overdubbing and I stopped playing when I started going to church. But I have always loved playing music. I remember being able to mix a whole show in my head at work in a factory. When show time it would be on point. Now I have been interested in playing again with Christian music (Holy Hip Hop). You helped me to decide which controller to use; I purchased the Pioneer DDJ400 and it is much harder to use it as you said. I'm starting to feel the rust dropping off. Thank you for helping me refind my love of DJing.

[ventarfield]

Strictly turntables since 1989. This is super cool. I sucked on the cdjs when I tried them. Respect. Turntablism is all about using what you got to rock.

[DogRescuer]

I have to say I can totally relate. I started DJ’ing back in the 80’s with Technics ML1200’s, then after college I stopped for yrs. Last year I started back and decided to get a entry level Pioneer SB controller.. After watching a few of your videos, I was inspired to go full steam ahead and purchased the DDJ 1000. I’ve been practicing and taking LOTS OF TIPS from your videos. I just wanted to say thank you for getting me back to one of the things I love the most! ✌🏽

[mohamedsultan]

All what i could think of everytime i watch one of your videos is humbly "RESPECT" bro..
Truely, Respect!
Coming from a brother DJ. 🤜🤛🙌

[djnuttymk]

“Skill comes 1st, gear comes 2nd” DOPE

[dryllynch]

One of all time favorite vids on YouTube. All beginners should watch this, thanks for sharing

[akustiktrax]

This guy is a boss. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad because of the gear you use. Just enjoy and love what you do. And remember, haters are gonna hate no matter what.

Great, great video. Awesome input.

[DJPeeweePrimero]

Keep do your thang! 🙌🏼 Thanks for sharing your story.. 🙏🏽 so true that DJ equipments especially the expensive controller/turntable does not make you a better DJ.. for me, Skills, creativity, originality and self confidence is the KEY. 💯

[Cistron]

Used to play cdj's, but since I laid my hands on a controller I haven't looked back since. The versatility, portability and the fact that it supplements my creative outlet in more ways than I could have imagined is truly a marvel. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you are a lesser DJ because of the gear you use. You do you, and keep pushing your boundaries.

[MTN_SAVAGE]

Aahhh the memories!! Thank you for sharing. Inspirational! I hope more kids realize and appreciate how accessible music and music making is these days. We could only dream of this in the 90s....

[mkhl]

Thanks for sharing your story with us. Truly inspiring!

[lustforlow-end]

“It’s not what you use, it’s how you use it” so true. There are lots of people with expensive gear who don’t (or can’t) use it well & then there are people with very basic equipment who can do incredible stuff. It really just comes down to practice. 👍

[dakid]

Thanks i just learned how to scratch yesterday i use a ddjsb3 and only had it for a year. Watching your videos and some others on youtube pushed me to practice and learn. 👍👍

[memberofc]

once a day somebody told me, I have to buy real turntables to scratch and being a real dj. well 2 years later I didn't afford any turntables and being booked in clubs, but the truth of the story is really do what you love and don't care what anybody else tells you.

[michaelruiz]

An attitude of gratitude is what I see. Your story is very humbling. Thank you!

[inconsistentsonic]

THANK YOU! I'm in the UK & have been DJ'ing since 1998 and have had a very similar journey using minimal equipment that i could afford or borrow, agree that skill comes first & gear 2nd. Subscribed & thank you again! :))

[DopamineOverload]

Such a great story, man. I got a CDJ-1000 in early 2003, helping a friend record his album. The CDJ-1000 changed everything for me. Had crappy Numark tables, a crappy Numark mixer. Needles skipped all the time. Useless. I just loved being able to use a skipless system. Even though I've never been a good turntablist (I can do basic scratching, and getting back into it, Nov 2020... and finally learning "the right way" to do things)... the CDJs are just awesome. And when controllers came out, it was even more awesome. What you do with that humble SB3 blows me away, man. You inspire EVERYONE. And for those of you who are new to this-- what a time to get into scratching and DJing: DVS, DDJs, 7" portables, and even the SC-1000 and the Omni.... all the free tutorials out there (including yours). I feel so fortunate seeing how far it has all come. I saw the Doug Pray documentary Scratch in 2002 and that made me obsessed with scratching. If some of you out there haven't heard of it, watch it. And like you said here, skill comes first. Indeed. It isn't the gear. It's the time put in. Awesome.

[djdirty]

I love your philosophy, I have commented before, but I also share a simular story. I learned on a pair of radio shake belt drive turntables in the 80's, took a 10 yr hiatas & immediadly recognized that I could DJ with a controller!!!! Been DJing since 1983 & still rock the house with a ddj sb3, numark mixtrack pro fx, pioneer ddj200 & a gig just using virtural dj on a desktop. I salute you Sir for exposing it's the skill not the equipment. LOL on day a lady that watches me dj at other gigs with my equipment happened to show up whter I just use virtural dj + desktop deal and asked me how are you doing that without your equipment... My response was that "I AM THE EXPENSIVE PART OF MY DJING NOT MY EQUIPMENT lol. Keep up the good work my friend!!!